Inland temperatures hit low 100s as state’s 1st major wildfire rages
A helicopter scoops up water from Jenks Lake as it works to battle a wild fire that has burned more than 11,000 acres in the Big Bear area.
As local temperatures reached triple digits inland, the state’s first major forest fire of the season continued to rage Saturday in the San Bernardino Mountains south of Big Bear.
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FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post said the fire is north of Big Bear; it is south of Big Bear.
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Strong high pressure aloft produced temperatures of 105 in the Antelope Valley, with readings of 102 in Palmdale and Lancaster, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures reached the high 90s in Woodland Hills and the Santa Clarita Valley while the mercury hit about 98 in Riverside and 97 in San Bernardino.
The Los Angeles area experienced temperatures in the mid- to high 80s. In Orange County, readings in the mid- to high 70s were reported near the coast.
The hot weather and low humidity are contributing to the Lake fire, which has scorched some 16,000 acres of timber in the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire was 15% contained Saturday night.
About 1,900 firefighters are battling the blaze, which began Wednesday and forced several hundred people to evacuate campsites and vacation homes. Roughly 500 buildings are threatened, but there have been no reports of damage.
Though there is a chance of some minor cooling, the National Weather Service predicts there will be little relief Sunday, especially for the inland areas, deserts and mountains.
“The high pressure will remain in place,” said David Sweet, a weather service meteorologist. “It will be another hot day Sunday, then a slow cooling trend will begin Monday and continue through the rest of the week.”
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Sunday evening. Temperatures are expected to reach 112 in the lower deserts, up to 100 in the high deserts and Inland Empire, and 95 for lower mountain areas.
The public is advised to drink plenty of water, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and reschedule strenuous activity to the early morning or evening.
Follow @LADeadline16 for local news
Times staff writer Bettina Boxall contributed to this report.
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